Wikipedia:Main Page history/2011 December 24

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Today's featured article
Harold Pinter (1930–2008) was a Nobel Prize-winning English playwright and screenwriter, with a career that spanned more than 50 years. His plays include The Birthday Party, The Homecoming and Betrayal, and his screenplays include The Servant, The French Lieutenant's Woman and Sleuth. Pinter appeared as an actor in productions of his own work on radio and film. He also undertook roles in works by other writers. He directed nearly 50 productions for stage, theatre and screen. He was born and raised in Hackney, east London, trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and the Central School of Speech and Drama, and worked in repertory theatre before achieving success as a writer. In his later years, he was known for his political activism and his opposition to the war in Afghanistan and the invasion of Iraq. Pinter's last stage performance was as Krapp in Beckett's play Krapp's Last Tape, for the Royal Court Theatre, in 2006. (more...) Recently featured: Lavanify – Issy Smith – "A Rugrats Chanukah" Archive – By email – More featured articles...
Did you know...
From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that the Froebel star (pictured), a common Christmas decoration in Germany, is created by folding and weaving four identical strips of paper? ... that Jan Sandström composed the Motorbike Concerto, and a setting of Es ist ein Ros entsprungen for two choirs a cappella: one in four parts, singing Praetorius, and the other in eight parts? ... that baseball pitcher Brad Boxberger was named to the Arizona Fall League's 2011 Top Prospects Team? ... that prior to its passage of the Human Rights Act 2003, Nunavut was the only Canadian jurisdiction without protections against discrimination for its gay, lesbian and bisexual residents? ... that the New York Yankees traded for Allie Reynolds on the advice of Joe DiMaggio? ... that the lesser long-tongued bat can extend its tongue for up to 50% of its own body length – even when its jaws are closed? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
A series of coordinated bombings in Baghdad kills at least 63 people. Soyuz TMA-03M, launched from Baikonur, carries a crew of three men (pictured) to the International Space Station. Russia's largest stock exchanges, MICEX and RTS, merge to form MICEX-RTS. North Korea announces the death of Supreme Leader Kim Jong-il. Czech writer and first President of the Czech Republic Václav Havel dies at the age of 75. The FIFA Club World Cup concludes with FC Barcelona defeating Santos FC in the final. Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
December 24: Christmas Eve 1294 – Boniface VIII began his papacy, replacing St. Celestine V, who had declared that it was permissible for a Pope to resign, and then promptly did so. 1777 – An expedition led by English explorer James Cook reached Christmas Island (pictured), the largest coral atoll in the world. 1826 – More than one third of the cadets enrolled in the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, rioted over the smuggling of whiskey to make eggnog for a Christmas Day party. 1955 – The NORAD Tracks Santa program began when children began calling the Continental Air Defense Command Center to inquire about Santa Claus' whereabouts due to a misprinted phone number. 1974 – Cyclone Tracy struck Darwin, Australia, eventually destroying more than 70 percent of the city. More anniversaries: December 23 – December 24 – December 25 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now December 24, 2011 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

The eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus) is a chipmunk species native to eastern North America. Like other chipmunks, they transport food in pouches in their cheeks, as seen here. They eat bulbs, seeds, fruits, nuts, green plants, mushrooms, insects, worms, and bird eggs.

Photo: Simon Pierre Barrette

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